VMANYC Newsletter - June 2022

Smoking, Vaping, and Pets: How Veterinarians Can Help New Yorkers and their Pets

Tobacco Policy and Programs (TPP Unit) Bureau of Chronic Disease Preven�on NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Over a third of New Yorkers who smoke have a dog or cat at home, based on internal analysis of New York City Community Health Survey data. Veterinarians can talk to pet owners about seeking treat ment for smoking or vaping to protect their pets from secondhand smoke and toxins while also im proving their own health. 12 Pets in homes where someone smokes are at increased risk of numerous illnesses, which may mani fest acutely or a�er years of exposure. Exposure to secondhand smoke has been associated with can cer of the nasal cavity and sinuses among dolichocephalic breeds, 3 and lung cancers among mesa�­ cephalic and brachycephalic breeds. 4 Dogs may also be at risk of respiratory issues or secondary in fec�ons. 5 Cats are at increased risk of developing malignant lymphoma, especially when the expo sure to secondhand smoke con�nues for five or more years. Data on the impacts of secondhand smoke on birds are limited but suggests they may be at risk of respiratory, skin, or eye issues, includ ing secondary infec�ons, as well as some cancers. Pets in homes where someone smokes or vapes can ingest toxins by ea�ng discarded cigare�e bu�s or vape cartridges, or by licking their fur or owner’s skin or clothing where toxins from secondhand smoke may linger. 6 Poten�ally fatal nico�ne toxicity can occur in as li�le as 15 to 30 minutes of in ges�on of a discarded vaping cartridge. 8 Advise your clients to seek immediate veterinary care if they suspect their pet has ingested a cartridge. Talk to your clients and let them know that New Yorkers who smoke or vape and are interested in treatment have lots of op�ons, they can: � Visit the New York State Smokers' Quitline, or call 866 - NY - QUITS (866 - 697 - 8487), to apply for a free starter kit of nico�ne medica�ons and to talk to a quit coach. � Call the Asian Smokers’ Quitline, Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to midnight, for services in Chinese (800 - 838 - 8917), Korean (800 - 556 - 5564) or Vietnamese (800 - 778 - 8440), or visit asiansmokersquitline.org. � Talk to their healthcare provider about tobacco treatment medica�ons. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover medica�on op�ons to help New Yorkers quit. � Find a local quit smoking or vaping program on the NYC Health Map. � Text DROPTHEVAPE to 88709 to enroll into This Is Qui�ng and get free support qui�ng vaping if they are between ages 13 and 24. New Yorkers who are not ready to quit smoking or vaping can use nico�ne replacement therapy (NRT) to avoid smoking at home and reduce their pet’s exposure to secondhand smoke and toxins. New Yorkers can learn more about NRT, including tobacco treatment medica�on op�ons and how to access them, once they decide which medica�ons they are interested in trying. The nico�ne in patch es and gum can harm pets, so they should store them in a safe place, out of reach of pets.

JUNE, 2022, VOL. 62, NO. 2

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